Socioeconomic inequalities in contraceptive use among Brazilian women: A multilevel analysis stratified by parity☆

Objective: To investigate if individual and contextual socioeconomic factors are associated with contraceptive use in Brazilian women from 18 to 49 years old, stratified by parity. Methods: Cross-sectional, population-based study that analyzed data from 16,879 women from 18 to 49 years old, respondents of the 2013 National Health Survey. Individual factors such as reproductive history, access to health services, and sociodemographic characteristics were considered; and as contextual factors, Human Development Index (HDI), Sociodemographic Index (SDI) Primary Health Care Coverage (PHC coverage) and Average Monthly Income were included. Multilevel logistic regression models were estimated, stratified by parity, with women being level 1 and States and Federal District of level 2 units. Results: Nulliparous women had lower prevalence of contraceptive use (77.9 %) when compared with primiparous and multiparous (88.7 %), as well as greater variability in the chance of using contraception (ICC = 2.1 vs. ICC = 1.1, respectively). Women who lived in States with higher levels of HDI, average monthly income and SDI were more likely to use contraception. The greater PHC coverage was positively associated with the use of contraceptives for primiparous/multiparous women and negatively for the nulliparous. Furthermore, higher education increased the chances of using contraception, both for nulliparous and primiparous/multiparous women. Conclusions: The high contraceptive coverage in Brazil hides important inequities in access, highlighting contextual characteristics associated with the use of contraceptives, in addition to individual factors. The lower prevalence and chance of using contraceptives for nulliparous women with greater social vulnerability reveal inequity and priority in public policies. Implications for practice: The need to improve access to contraception is highlighted, considering both the individual and contextual vulnerabilities of women, which implies ensuring timely and qualified access to contraceptive methods, especially for young and nulliparous women who are more socially vulnerable.